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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Anyone been to Cascais?

11 replies

BuffyTy · 10/01/2019 19:01

We're heading there for May half term and provisionally staying at the Martinhal resort. I get the impression it's best for little kids, but we will have 11 and 9 year olds. Is it any good for them? Any other accommodation suggestions? Would also welcome any other Cascais related suggestions too - what to see / do, where to eat etc. Thanks

OP posts:

Amazonian27 · 10/01/2019 21:37

I thought Martinhal
was in Sagres not Cascais unless they often opened another resort? I haven’t stayed at either but Cascais has been highly recommended for a holiday at that time of year.

Longdistance · 10/01/2019 21:44

Oh, Cascais is bringing back some memories from about 20 years ago when I first started flying. We got a train from Lisbon to Cascais.

Sorry, I’m not much help, but it’s put a smile on my face 😃 a blast from the past.

BestIsWest · 12/01/2019 14:40

It’s about 5 years since I’ve been but we loved it.
A few things I remember -
There's a little shack opposite the lighthouse does great fish and seafood.
Go to Sintra - there's a bus from Cascais - and visit the Pena Palace and the Regalaria palace - DS loved the Regalaria as lots of hidden passages, secret doors etc.
The Guimares house in Cascais is worth a guided tour too plus the little sea museum and the Paula Rego gallery.
The park is fab and they often have open air concerts - Jamie Cullum was there last time we went and the cafe is great for snacks and coffee.
Get the train to Lisbon, goes into Cais do Sodre and there's a great food market near the station.
Also a good open air Market in Cascais on a Thursday ( I think).
Also a great Chicken Piri piri place in the old part of town (might be O Reis do Frango), try the pork steaks as well as the chicken. Oh I want to go back now, you'll have a fab time.
For a posh night out there are great fish restaurants in the street by the fish market.

Original poster

BuffyTy · 13/01/2019 11:37

Thanks so much - really appreciate the tips. Anyone been to the Martinhal resort there? Opened quite recently I believed but is way more expensive than the Sheraton or Quinta Marinha resorts nearby.

OP posts:

magentastardust · 13/01/2019 23:25

If you look up minitravellers blog/website she has definitely stayed at the new Martinhal resort there with her little ones.

Cattus · 13/01/2019 23:30

Cascais is lovely and you can have some great day trips.

If you go to Lisbon or Sintra, beware of pickpockets in crowded areas.

OlafLovesAnna · 14/01/2019 09:23

I live in Cascais and it is fab - let me have a look at your questions and a think and I will get back to you.

cansu · 14/01/2019 09:26

It is lovely. Lots of lovely restaurants and when we went there was a little festival type thing on the beach with old fashioned kids games etc. Can fish restaurants. Best restaurant was one just next to our hotel that did wines and tapas. Very reasonable prices and absutely delicious. I will look up the name.

OlafLovesAnna · 14/01/2019 09:30

I haven't been to the Martinhal but believe it's very nice, they do a 'brunch' 12-4pm on a Sunday which I keep meaning to go to as it's all you can eat and the kids can use all the play equipment.

Quinta Da Marinha I wouldn't bother with really, we stayed there when we were waiting for our furniture to arrive and although the staff are lovely and food is good there isn't really anything for kids, especially older ones.

The Eurostars Hotel is much closer in to town (walkable) and has a pool with a little slide but I haven't noticed a playground or anything, I just found it a massive chore to Uber everywhere from Quinta da Marinha as its a good walk to the centre from that end of town and the pavements are not the best.

cansu · 14/01/2019 09:33

Restaurant was called the tasting room. Was really lovely. Also had lovely fish in one of the restaurants near the fish market. Worth also going to Lisbon for a wander round.

OlafLovesAnna · 14/01/2019 09:42

My kids are 13, 11 and 6 and it's very safe for the older ones to potter about the Marchal de Carmona Park doing their Pokemon Go whilst I have a coffee in the cafe at the entrance (cash only).

You can easily walk from the park into the central beachfront Square in 10mins or so too so I often park there and walk into town.

Santinis ice cream parlour is a favourite and the town beach is good for a paddle and there are lots of restaurants nearby.

Beaches - Guincho is gorgeous and in theory just a 5 km (ish) walk or cycle on the free bikes from town along the red pedestrian and cycle path, but I normally drive as we have surfboard /bodyboard etc. Guincho and Cresmina beaches get windy but the water is shallow for quite a long way out and Bar do Guincho on Praia do Abono has good food and a fantastic view.

Slightly further along the coast in the direction of Lisbon is Carcavelos beach which I prefer for the little one, the water is calmer and feels a tiny bit warmer and if you have no car it's an easy walk from the train station, my kids go to school opposite the beach so you'll normally see stacks of families after school.

Any specific questions just let me know!

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